A relative of a patient allegedly assaulted a nurse at Tema Community 22 Polyclinic after asking the individual to leave the facility at the end of visiting hours.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, June 4, 2026, on the hospital premises during the routine enforcement of visiting regulations.
According to available information, the nurse approached the patient’s relative and informed the individual that visiting hours had ended and that all visitors were required to leave the ward.
The situation reportedly escalated, leading to an alleged physical assault on the healthcare worker.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, and it is not immediately known whether any arrests have been made.
The alleged assault has sparked concerns about the safety and security of healthcare professionals, who often work under challenging conditions while providing essential care to patients.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has strongly condemned the alleged assault of a senior staff midwife by relatives of the patient, urging authorities to take immediate action to safeguard nurses and midwives nationwide.
In a statement jointly signed by the Association’s President, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, and General Secretary, Dr David Tenkorang Twum, the GRNMA said it received reports of the incident with “grave concern,” describing the attack as “uncultured, unacceptable, and criminal.”
“No nurse, midwife, or healthcare worker should be subjected to intimidation, threats, harassment, or physical assault while delivering essential healthcare services to the public,” the statement said.
The Association emphasised that healthcare facilities should remain safe spaces dedicated to healing and care, rather than environments where health professionals fear for their safety while carrying out their duties.
Calls for strengthened security
The GRNMA called on the management of the facility to immediately enhance security measures to prevent similar incidents. It recommended increased security presence at critical service points, stricter visitor management and access control systems, rapid-response mechanisms for incidents involving violence against staff, the installation and maintenance of surveillance equipment, and regular security assessments to identify and address potential risks.
Appeal to health authorities
The Association also urged the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana, teaching hospitals, and other health sector institutions to treat the growing threat of violence against nurses and midwives as a national concern.
Among its demands were the development and enforcement of a national policy to prevent workplace violence in healthcare settings, increased investment in security infrastructure across health facilities, the establishment of reporting and support systems for victims of workplace violence, and the imposition of stringent sanctions on perpetrators.
According to the GRNMA, ensuring the safety and security of healthcare workers is critical to maintaining an effective and resilient health system.
